a little history--Operation: Haylift

This past week the downtown Fallon Theatre (aka the old movie theatre) showed a movie called Operation: Haylift. It's not a documentary, but a fictionalized account of the happenings of the winter of 1948-49. There were several back-to-back blizzards in quick succession that winter, which made it impossible for the ranchers to get feed to their cattle and sheep. In order to help save the livestock, the Air Force dropped bales of hay to the stranded animals. They say Nevada lost 22,000 head of cattle. The sheep fared better. Many other states were affected, too, but the movie was set in Elko, Nevada.

There were a few in the audience who had either helped load the hay or push the hay out of the planes themselves, or they had relatives that had something to do with the real Operation: Haylift. Glen's dad and his Uncle Jim were too young to participate in the effort, but they remember going out to the Fallon Naval base here to watch the planes being loaded with hay.  

This is what Wikipedia has to say about the movie:

Operation Haylift is a 1950 American aviation film by William Berke starring Bill Williams, Ann Rutherford, and Tom Brown. The film documents the United States Air Force mission in 1948–49 to save thousands of cattle caught in the snowdrifts of a sudden winter storm in northern Nevada. "Operation Haylift" involved scores of cargo aircraft delivering hay to the stranded animals.


Anyway, it was a fun evening to go and watch the movie, though I do admit living in Nevada and having some connection to the story made it more interesting. I'm just glad that I've never had to experience blizzards like that.

Alex's talk, crazy weather, quilting, and my favorite love song

Alex was the High Councilman's companion speaker today at church. He was asked to speak on the blessings of personal prayer and scripture study. He did a fabulous job. Didn't seem nervous. Had a lot of good points to make. Didn't read his talk, but just spoke using his thoughts, scripture references, and quotes. Very nicely done, Alex. You make your mama proud.

It's been quite the week weather-wise. Biting cold wind. Rain. Snow. Hail/mini-snowballs on 2 different days (Alex pointed out they looked just like dippin' dots).

Thursday's "hail"

Saturday's "hail"

the light from the setting sun shows off the little mini-snowball hail pellets

Our local museum has had a block-of-the-month quilting class for the last few years. At the end of the year, you have a quilt top (if you've been doing your homework). I've sewn a few of the blocks here and there (and they are still sitting in my sewing box waiting to be turned into pillows or wall hangings), but my plan was never to sew all the blocks and make a quilt.

This year instead of a block every month, they are doing a row every month. I have decided to do the whole quilt. The colors aren't showing up well here. This row has gorgeous turquoise and teal colors in it. The overall color theme will be southwestern. I've been wanting to sew again for the past few years, so I'm excited to be able to do this. We have class again this week. Can't wait.

With Valentine's Day this week, I thought I wanted to share one of my favorite love songs. It's called "And I'm Here." The song is from one of my favorite Korean dramas, Goblin, but it's sung in English, so do not fear.

And I’m here
Just, just like I used to be
We were here in old days with you, with me
All my fears have gone
When you whisper to me
No matter how near or far apart, apart

When you feel so lonely
(Have you completely erased me)
I’ll be here to shelter you
(From your memories from yours)
When you feel so lonely
(While I still feel your breeze)
I’ll be here, here for you
(Holding your hands again)
(Holding your hands)

If I could fly above the clouds like all the birds
If I could hold you for a while to let you feel my pulse
Still here, all alone

My whole life and all my heart
You're my whole life and all my heart

And I’m here home, home
With you
With me